To: All supporters of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association:
The following is intended to update MMA members on the status of the 5 Bills currently pending in committee. We are very excited to inform you that all 5 bills are finally starting to experience a bit of movement.
Specifically, all have been scheduled for Public Hearings in front of the respective Committees they have been assigned to. This is the 1st step in the long process to enactment.
Public hearings are exactly what you’d imagine them to be: the public is invited to testify for (or against) a particular piece of proposed legislation while committee members listen, take notes, and ask questions. Anyone can testify at these hearings and each person talking is given a few minutes to “state their case” to support their position. Testimony should be succinct, without repetition, and informative.
The 2 Public Hearings currently scheduled for MMA Bills are:
- The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will be hearing the MMA’s “Right of Way Bill” (S.1571) on Tuesday, September 29th at 11AM in State House Room B-1
- The Joint Committee on Transportation will be hearing the MMA’s “Danny’s Bill” (S.1934), “Ryan’s Bill” (S.1894), “MC Sound Bill” (S.1893), and “Helmet Choice for Adults Bill” (S.2017) on Tuesday, October 6th at 11AM in State House Room B-1
A “Joint Committee” consists of both Senators and State Representatives.
The MMA’s 2009-2010 Legislative Agenda contains detailed information on all 5 bills that include the proposed legislation as well as all Sponsor and Co-Sponsor names. We note the difficulty some people have committing time off to testify during a normal work week. A great alternative to personal, in-person testimony is a signed letter of testimony sent to the MMA’s Legislative Director that can be properly read into the record on your behalf. A “permission letter” should also accompany this testimony, as appropriate.
We ask that each and every MMA Member take an hour or so and prepare a letter for these hearings.
The goal of these hearings is to get each Committee to rule that the MMA’s Bills “Ought to Pass” and get them moved out of the committee and onto the floor for voting. Sometimes though, bills are sent to other committees for study: something we prefer NOT happen. Sometimes bills receive an “Ought not to Pass” recommendation, effectively killing all chances for passage this session. Since all 5 MMA Bills are “Senate Bills”, when any one finally gets to “the floor”, the 40 members of the State Senate vote 1st. Obviously, a majority of support is needed for further advancement. If this support is received, the bill moves to the House of Representatives where the cycle of committee, hearings, and then voting is repeated. There are ways to avoid further committee studies and public hearings, but these require persistence and major support from the membership.
Specifically, the MMA has 2 different and distinct avenues working to garner this support:
FIRST: The Massachusetts Motorcycle Political Action Committee (MMPAC) provides financial support to specific candidates who support our causes.
Since the MMA is a Legislative Association, it cannot legally “support” any specific legislator. However, the MMPAC can and does support individual legislators by sending money to their campaign committees. Our detractors are well-armed, well funded opponents, from insurers to state agencies or quasi-agencies receiving public funds, time and energy, against our Legislative Agenda. We need more riders and more events to support the MMPAC. This is the legal fund that allows us to attend political fundraisers in social settings – meet the decision makers, and get them to know us and our issues on a more personal basis.
The goal of the MMPAC is to gain support for our initiatives, or at least 'neutralize' those who do not understand or support them, especially in light of their acceptance of ‘donations’ from our opponents. Not having a strong presence at these events while our opponents do - hurts us. We will need to raise more money and the MMA will be recommending its four District leaders host local fundraisers for the MMPAC to actively seek donations as allowed by law.
SECOND: The MMPAC’s Government Relations Rough Rider (GRRR) Deputies position themselves on the doorsteps of Senators and Representatives. These individuals make it their mission to learn how their local legislator feels about the legislation and what it takes to get their support. In past years, over 50 riders stepped forward, taking leadership roles in the MMA, becoming the local 'go to' person with area riders and officials. We look forward to re-activate and expand this program to 200 GRRR Deputies, one in each legislative Senator (40) and Representative (160) District.
With the MMA’s 5 Bills showing movement, now is the time for each rider to get involved with MMPAC and help put with the local campaigns. Even if your State Senator and State Representative have no opposition, call their campaign offices and get involved. Hold Signs where appropriate, find out what’s important to your Legislator and get involved. They won't forget your help.
Let's begin NOW. With the State Budget in place, legislators are ready to hear our proposed legislation. Get involved and let us know you're involved. You can personally endorsement particular candidates and can help fund MMPAC. Donations can be made online by clicking the MMPAC link below or you can your personal checks (no Company Checks) to:
MMPAC
P.O. Box 503
Harwichport, MA 02646
And remember, we’ll also be electing a new US Senator on January 19th, 2010. This is your 1st opportunity in many years to cast your ballot for a new US Senate Candidate: pick one who supports freedom of choice and your right to ride in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Things get done when we work within the system. If we continue to work together, we'll eventually accomplish our goals. The MMA has gotten six bills enacted since year 2000 with our all volunteer programs: lets’ REV it up and make history.
We’re waiting for you to let us know you're ready to RUN with us. GRRR!